Christmas is the ultimate season to celebrate with family and friends. Besides exchanging gifts beneath the Christmas tree, the best part of Christmas for me is, undoubtedly, the festive food. From gingerbread cookies to cranberry tart, here are five festive baking recipes you can prepare in advance.
Vanilla fudge
This rich homemade fudge is ideal to present as a gift or to serve up as a sweet treat for your family and friends this Christmas. The simple recipe calls for just four ingredients: butter, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar and vanilla.
To begin, combine the first three ingredients in a large bowl and microwave for one minute. Stir everything together, then add the vanilla extract into the mixture before pouring into the prepared pan and spreading evenly.
Before the fudge is completely hardened, top with your favourite toppings, like mini marshmallows, sprinkles or crushed graham crackers, and gently press them into the fudge until they cling to it. Once the fudge has hardened, cut it into little pieces and store it in a well-sealed container. Store the fudge in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours and enjoy while cold.
Gingerbread men
Soft in the centre, crisp on the sides and wonderfully spiced – gingerbread cookies are exactly what you need this holiday season. This traditional Christmas cookie is ideal for decorating. The dough is usually made with flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, eggs, butter and molasses, and will be laid aside overnight before baking.
Shape the dough into gingerbread men the next day with a cookie cutter and bake in a preheated oven at 177°C for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and brown. After a few minutes of cooling on the baking pans, you’ll be ready to decorate the cooled cookies as desired. This will be a fun activity for the kids to try. Decorate your gingerbread men cookies with raisins and currants for the eyes and buttons, and icing in your favourite colour for a more colourful treat.
Blueberry rolls
Treat the whole family to one of the festive baking favourites, blueberry rolls. These tasty little rolls go well with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or perhaps even mulled wine.
You’ll need the dough to bake, before brushing it with melted butter and covering it with brown sugar and cinnamon once risen. Top the mixture with blueberries, then roll the filling up in the dough. Allow for a further hour of resting, before baking the blueberry cinnamon rolls for 30 minutes at 177°C, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before coating. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze by combining the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a stand mixer. Beat on low for a few minutes, then gradually increase to high until the mixture is light and fluffy. Spread the icing evenly among the rolls. Heat up, and enjoy!
Cranberry tarts
Cranberry tarts could well be the winter dessert you didn’t realise you needed to try until now. These deep red tarts add a pleasant splash of colour to the Christms buffet table, and their puckery acidity helps to balance out a heavy meal.
To make the tart shell, mix the eggs, butter, and sugar in a large bowl. Add in the flour, mix and form into the tart shell. Then, refrigerate the tart shell for 30 minutes or freeze for 10 minutes before adding the filling.
To make the filling, combine the cranberries, sugar and almonds in a small bowl. Once you’ve made the cranberry mixture, fill the tarts and transfer them the tart pan with a detachable bottom and bake them in the oven for 40-45 minutes. Place the tarts on a cooling rack to cool completely, at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with icing sugar and you’re good to go!
Chocolate truffles
If you have children, try making these Christmas truffles together. This recipe would make a wonderful gift, and the kids will enjoy sharing it with their friends, along with other healthy festive snacks.
To prepare these truffles, melt condensed milk and chocolate chips in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir regularly for four minutes, or until smooth, then remove from heat. Allow cooling in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, after adding the almond extract. The truffle should then be refrigerated for at least one hour, or until set.
Next, shape the truffles by lightly rubbing the truffle mixture between your palms. Dip the truffles into the melted candy coating with a toothpick to coat. Let any excess drip off before placing them on waxed paper to set the coating. You can serve them once the truffle has been set. Enjoy!
What are your favourite festive treats to bake for Christmas? Share your favourites by commenting below.